Free Web NovelChapter 137: Chapter 64: Song Yunzhao Sure Can Talk a Big Game
That was why her family had her participate in the selection. She knew it was to protect the Qin Family’s status and wealth.
Her parents had raised her, and her siblings doted on her. She couldn’t just sit by and do nothing.
Thinking of this, Qin Xiyue’s heart grew restless.
The Left and Right Ministers at court had been at odds for years. The Left Minister’s family hadn’t sent a daughter into the palace, but the Right Minister’s daughter was Consort Shu. She had originally thought that if Ji Yunting had even a little affection for her, they could have married. That would have both fulfilled her love and helped her family.
But she had been disappointed. Ji Yunting had said nothing and done nothing.
So, she entered the selection.
With her pride, she could never bring herself to confront him directly.
She had thought that with her family background and looks, entering the palace would go smoothly. Who could have expected Song Yunzhao to appear out of nowhere? freewebnøvel.coɱ
And of all things, Song Yunzhao had even helped her...
The thought of Song Yunzhao helping her made Qin Xiyue sit up abruptly. She remembered!
No wonder she found His Majesty somewhat familiar. At the Three Yuan Building, the first time Song Yunzhao helped her, a certain Mr. Zhe Shan had also spoken up to help. Those eyes, that voice...
Qin Xiyue’s expression suddenly turned strange. ’Could it really be him?’
Although she couldn’t be one hundred percent certain, she was close enough.
’If that gentleman who never showed his face was truly His Majesty, did he actually like someone with a fiery personality like Song Yunzhao’s?’
Qin Xiyue froze, suddenly unsure of what to do.
’If that’s the case, His Majesty and Song Yunzhao have a history. And at the time, because of my dispute with He Lan Yun, Ji Yunting was also involved...’
Her face instantly turned pale.
’If His Majesty believes my heart belongs to another, why did he still keep me?’
She carefully recalled the event. She was sure she hadn’t admitted to anything. Thinking of this, she breathed a small sigh of relief. ’Even if He Lan Yun was spouting nonsense, I never crossed any lines with Ji Yunting. It should be fine.’
Though she tried to comfort herself with these thoughts, Qin Xiyue still decided to keep a low profile for a while. It would be best if His Majesty didn’t think of her for the time being. She would wait and see.
At this thought, Qin Xiyue felt fortunate that she hadn’t agreed when Lu Zhixue came to her earlier. Otherwise, she would be in a terrible bind right now.
Song Yunzhao had no idea what Qin Xiyue was thinking. She had just received word from Meng Jiuchang that her family visit was scheduled for three days later. She liked this speed.
She wrote a list for Meng Jiuchang. Although she couldn’t leave the palace to watch the drama, she could summon them into the palace to perform a live face-changing act for her.
When Meng Jiuchang received Consort Song’s list, the corner of his mouth twitched at the long string of names.
He thought for a moment, then waited for a moment when His Majesty was free and presented the list.
Feng Yi took the list, and a glance at it made him chuckle.
Practically all the women of the Song Family were on it. There was a cousin who he knew was on good terms with Song Yunzhao, as well as an aunt and another cousin from a separate branch of the family. ’Song Yunzhao really is the type to repay every grudge.’
"Go ahead with this list. Send someone to the Song Family to deliver the decree," Feng Yi said with a smile.
Meng Jiuchang found the smile on His Majesty’s face baffling. He felt as if there was something going on between His Majesty and Consort Song that he didn’t know about.
But he didn’t dare ask. It’s not like he had a death wish.
So, he immediately took the list with both hands and said respectfully, "This servant will send someone at once."
Feng Yi waved his hand, dismissing him. He sat back down to read his memorials, which were all full of trivial, bullshit matters. These high-ranking court officials were always trying to fool him.
Song Yunzhao had been having a good few days. To her surprise, Consort Shu and the others hadn’t come looking for trouble. On second thought, it made sense. There was no Empress in the palace, and the Emperor hadn’t granted concubines of *fei* rank the authority to make the other concubines in the harem pay them respects.
So, for now, there were no incidents of everyone gathering at an Empress’s palace and fighting until they had black eyes. ’Sigh, what a shame. So much drama missed.’
’Life without an Empress is so comfortable. You can sleep in as late as you want, no need to clock in for work. It couldn’t be better.’
"My lady, a message came from Chief Steward Zhang. He asks where you would like to receive your family," Xiangxue asked, lifting the curtain as she entered.
Song Yunzhao asked, "Are there other places to choose from?"
"Yes, there are many places in the palace. If you don’t wish to meet them at Wangyou Palace, you can choose another," Xiangxue said with a smile.
Song Yunzhao nodded slightly. ’This Emperor’s harem really isn’t very large. In the book, after a few more selections, the number of Beauties in the palace grew and grew, and only then did the palaces become crowded.’
"Let’s do it here at Wangyou Palace," Song Yunzhao said, too lazy to bother with moving. Besides, who knew if Consort Shu, Princess Consort Zhuang, or Princess Consort Wan had spies in other palaces? It would be inconvenient to talk freely. ’How am I supposed to mock Mrs. Cai then? Wouldn’t that hinder my performance?’
"Then this servant will go inform them."
"Go on."
After Xiangxue left, Song Yunzhao was no longer sleepy. She went to her study and took out the storybook she had rushed to finish over the past few nights. This was the bait she’d prepared for the Emperor.
One of the stories was called *Yunniang’s Story*. She had woven a bit of herself into it, which would give the Emperor a faint sense of familiarity as he read, allowing his imagination to wander. Then there was the male protagonist, who shared one or two pitiful aspects of his background with the Emperor, creating a sense of immersion. She wrote about how Yunniang and the male lead met, got to know each other, and fell in love.
’The Emperor doesn’t know how to romance someone? No problem, I’ll write a story to teach him!’
’Doesn’t he love reading my stories?’
’I’m giving him this chance to learn. No thanks necessary.’
’One book to teach one flirting skill at a time. I reckon after I write five, six, seven, or eight of them, I’ll have the Emperor properly trained.’
’When the time comes, won’t I be the one to enjoy the fruits of victory? So, writing stories not only earns Silver, but also gets me a free romance. Who knows, I might even end up with the most powerful husband in the world. It’s just too perfect.’
The more Song Yunzhao thought about it, the more pleased she became. ’Sigh, how did I ever come up with such a brilliant idea as writing stories to make money?’
’I’m such a clever little imp.’
This good mood lasted until the day she was to meet her family. She rose early to wash and dress, choosing a summer outfit newly delivered from the Clothing Bureau. It was a floor-length gown in concubine-red, with broken-branch floral patterns outlined in gold and silver thread. The cuffs and hem were embroidered with a border of ocean waves and clouds, and over it all, she draped a light, sheer pibo made of golden silk that resembled thin smoke.
Xiangxue lightly powdered her mistress’s brows, meticulously outlining her eyes and eyebrows using the technique her mistress had taught her. Her face was like a Furong blossom, her brows like willow leaves. Her dark hair was coiled into a high Beauty’s-knot bun, and the full head of pearled and jeweled hairpins made Song Yunzhao look so graceful and magnificent that it was a world of difference from her time in the Song Family.
The moment Mrs. Cai entered the palace and saw Song Yunzhao, she was stunned. She had never seen Song Yunzhao so magnificently dressed; for a moment, she couldn’t even react.
Seated on her grand chair, Song Yunzhao lowered her gaze, her eyes sweeping over Mrs. Cai’s face and then to Song Qinghan, whose expression was blacker than the bottom of a pot. A feeling of immense satisfaction washed over her.
’They used to order me around, scolding and belittling me whenever they pleased. They never imagined a day like this would come, did they?’
For more than a decade in the Song Mansion, Song Yunzhao had endured the humiliation Mrs. Cai heaped upon her. Today, she could finally hold her head high in triumph.
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